Lawnmower Class Action Settlement

Washington, DC: If you purchased a lawnmower, for your own use, containing an engine with up to 30 horsepower in the United States or Puerto Rico and between January 1, 1994 and April 12, 2010, you may be eligible to participate in a class action settlement announced recently. The settlement allows for up to $35 for each walk-behind mower and up to $75 for each riding lawnmower. And you may be eliglble to receive an extended warranty.

The class action lawsuit was filed against Sears and other manufacturers of lawn mowers, alleging that they, for decades, fraudulently sold lawn mowers with labels indicating the engines produce a higher horsepower than they actually do. The horsepower of a lawnmower is critical to its performance. One alleged deception involves stating the horsepower of the lawnmower as its gross horsepower, which is a theoretical maximum horsepower, not the more accurate net horsepower.

Additionally, the suit claims that the defendants were involved in a broad conspiracy which included influencing the adoption of labeling requirements that would ensure the alleged fraud could not be discovered.

A final approval hearing is set for June 22. If you wish to be excluded or object to the proposed settlement you have until June 4th to notify the claims administrator.

The deadline to file a claim for cash benefits is August 31, 2010.

The deadline for filing a claim for warranty benefits and redeeming warranty benefits is one year after the final approval.